Footwear upper comprising stretch zones

Abstract

An upper of an article of footwear comprises a plurality of stretch zones each having a respective stretching capability. Suitable example stretch zones may include four-way stretch zones, two-way stretch zones, and/or lock-out zones. In some examples, an upper having a plurality of stretch zones comprises a single continuous piece of material configured to have regions of different stretching capability. The single piece of material may comprise a layered material having two stretchable outer layers, wherein a plurality of stretch zones of the piece of material are defined by corresponding intermediate layers disposed at selected locations between the outer layers. Examples of intermediate layers providing two-way stretch, four-way stretch, and little or no stretch are disclosed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An upper for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a continuous sheet of layered material including a plurality of stretch zones, each stretch zone defined by a selected directional elasticity; 
 wherein the continuous sheet includes two continuous elastic outer layers, and at least two of the plurality of stretch zones have different respective directional elasticities; 
 a first stretch zone of the plurality of stretch zones having an intermediate layer disposed between and in direct contact with each of the two continuous outer layers; 
 wherein the intermediate layer of the first stretch zone has a lattice structure including at least one pattern of openings configured to stretch along one or more predetermined stretch axes, such that the at least one pattern of openings in the intermediate layer determines the directional elasticity of the first stretch zone; and 
 wherein the continuous sheet is coupled to at least one other piece of material to form an upper. 
 
     
     
       2. The upper of  claim 1 , wherein the first stretch zone is configured to stretch along only a single axis, and the plurality of stretch zones further comprise a second stretch zone configured to be inelastic. 
     
     
       3. The upper of  claim 1 , wherein the first stretch zone is configured to stretch along two axes. 
     
     
       4. The upper of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer of the first stretch zone extends to a second stretch zone and includes a second pattern of openings determining a directional elasticity of the second stretch zone, wherein the directional elasticity of the second stretch zone is different that the directional elasticity of the first stretch zone. 
     
     
       5. The upper of  claim 4 , wherein the first stretch zone is configured to stretch along only a single axis and the second stretch zone is configured to stretch along two axes. 
     
     
       6. The upper of  claim 5 , wherein sizes of the openings in the second pattern of openings is configured to alter stretch characteristics along two stretch axes. 
     
     
       7. The upper of  claim 5 , wherein sizes and shapes of the openings in the second pattern of openings varies within the second stretch zone. 
     
     
       8. The upper of  claim 5 , wherein dimensions of the openings in the second pattern of openings changes along each longitudinal axis of the two stretch axes forming a gradation with a pre-determined stretch gradient along the two stretch axes. 
     
     
       9. The upper of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of stretch zones is configured such that the directional elasticity of the stretch zone changes along a dimension of the stretch zone. 
     
     
       10. The upper of  claim 1 , wherein sizes of the openings in the at least one pattern of openings is configured to alter stretch characteristics along the one or more predetermined stretch axes. 
     
     
       11. The upper of  claim 1 , wherein sizes and shapes of the openings in the at least one pattern of openings varies within the first stretch zone. 
     
     
       12. The upper of  claim 1 , wherein dimensions of the openings in the at least one pattern of openings change along a longitudinal axis forming a gradation with a pre-determined stretch gradient along the one or more predetermined stretch axes. 
     
     
       13. The upper of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises a foam, an adhesive, an adhesive tape, a fabric, or a plastic material. 
     
     
       14. An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper including two or more pieces of material, at least one piece of the two or more pieces of material comprising a single continuous sheet having two or more stretch zones, each stretch zone having a different directional stretching capability; 
 wherein the continuous sheet of the upper includes two continuous outer layers; 
 wherein a first stretch zone of the two or more stretch zones includes an intermediate layer disposed between and in direct contact with each of the two continuous outer layers; and 
 wherein the intermediate layer of the first stretch zone has a non-continuous structure including at least one pattern of openings configured to stretch along one or more predetermined stretch axes, such that the at least one pattern of openings determines the directional stretching capability of the first stretch zone. 
 
     
     
       15. The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the two or more stretch zones include one or more inelastic zones and one or more stretch zones configured to stretch along a single axis, and the first stretch zone is configured to stretch along two axes. 
     
     
       16. The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the intermediate layer extends to a second stretch zone and includes at least a second pattern of openings determining a directional stretching capability of the second stretch zone, the directional stretching capability of the second stretch zone being different from the directional stretching capability of the first stretch zone. 
     
     
       17. The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein sizes and shapes of the openings in the second pattern of openings varies within the second stretch zone to alter stretch characteristics along two stretch axes. 
     
     
       18. The article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein dimensions of the openings in the second pattern of openings changes along each longitudinal axis of the two stretch axes forming a gradation with a pre-determined stretch gradient along the two stretch axes. 
     
     
       19. The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises a foam lattice. 
     
     
       20. The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the intermediate layer further includes a pattern of adhesive. 
     
     
       21. The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein sizes and shapes of the openings in the at least one pattern of openings varies within the first stretch zone to alter stretch characteristics along the one or more predetermined stretch axes. 
     
     
       22. The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein dimensions of the openings in the at least one pattern of openings change along a longitudinal axis forming a gradation with a pre-determined stretch gradient along the one or more predetermined stretch axes.